Roessler Working with Rosario to Clean Up Mechanics

The last two games, the Mets have given infielder Amed Rosario a “mental break” to help clear his mind before starting again. He has hit to just a .530 OPS in the month of June.

Rosario, 22, overall has registered just a .244/.270/.360 slash line with four home runs and 21 RBI in 254 plate appearances (73 games). However, they are trying to help him see better results long term by cleaning up his mechanics, according to the New York Post.

Jose Reyes, who has hit just .184 this year and has been worth -0.8 has slotted in in Rosario’s place for the time being.

“Right now, I’m just focusing on learning, basically, see what and how the other team pitches to our team so that I can see and then I can take advantage of that,” Rosario said through an interpreter before Monday’s game versus the Pirates. “Basically what I’m doing is working with my right leg. So I have to use it more than try to avoid [going] forward.”

Said hitting coach Pat Roessler: “Just trying to shorten his movements up a little bit and just be a little bit more consistent so he can catch up to the speed of the game a little bit more.”

Rosario has often looked up to Reyes, who came up as a 19-year-old in 2003 and understands where Rosario is coming from. Reyes sees this more as an opportunity for Rosario to go back out there and prove himself, because there’s a lot of season left.

“First thing that I tell him, keep your head up. I mean, you know, that’s the key. Stay positive, you know,” Reyes said. “Come over here every day with the same attitude. … Let it fly on the field, so don’t worry about anything.”

Rosario has worked with Roessler on fixing the issue with his right leg at the plate and is trying to make a habit of using it more to see better results. Roessler alluded to patience, and that Rosario can still break out, citing a chase rate down from 48 to 40 percent this year.

“It’s just repeating [adjustments] day after day after day,” Roessler said. “We’ve had good days and bad days and some days he’s better than others. And some days he gives himself a pretty good chance to hit and other days, you know, his mechanics get a little out of whack and he struggles a little bit.”

As for Rosario, he just wants to get back on the field.

“Well basically, the slumps, the only way I can get out of it is playing,” Rosario said, “so try to take advantage of every moment.”

Rob Piersall is a fourth-year student at SUNY New Paltz, studying journalism with a minor in communications. He is also the managing editor for his school's newspaper, The Oracle. A Mets fan since the age of six in 2001, Rob is senior editor here at MMO. His favorite thing is reporting breaking Mets news and transactions as well as writing columns. He is also ready to see what Mickey Callaway brings to the table in 2018. LGM! Follow Rob on Twitter: @RobPiersall.